Monthly Archives: November 2011

The key to foretelling the future

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https://richards-watch.org/2011/11/24/key-to-foretelling-the-future/Now, dear reader, let’s turn the dials in our imaginary time machine again. Set your watch back yet another 700-odd years – and discover how we can go forward from there!

This takes us to the time ancient Rome was founded and the first Olympic Games got under way in ancient Greece.  Also, Assyria was poised to conquer the Middle East and become a mighty regional power.

A Hebrew prophet and student of geopolitics, Isaiah, could see conflict approaching and, sure enough, the northern kingdom of Israel, Samaria, fell to Assyria in 721BC. A couple of decades earlier, Isaiah had a profound vision of the glory of The Holy Lord of Heavenly Hosts within His temple (see 6th chapter of The Book of Isaiah).

Not only did Isaiah thus come to hear the Lord and learn of His heart and mind for his own time, but he was also given a revelation into the far distant future of the life and personality of Jesus Christ. This is recorded in the 53rd chapter of the Book of Isaiah within the Bible’s Old Testament.  Prior to that, the Lord Most High had told him:

“For I am God and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand and I shall do all My pleasure’…” (Isaiah 46:9-10 NKJV)

Therein lies the key to foretelling the future.  We’re privileged to learn what The Almighty has determined is to happen because He shared his plans with a select number of ancient sages or prophets over several centuries.

In fact about 50 years earlier, the first of the ‘writing prophets’ had recorded a distinct word about just this at what we know as verse 7 of the third chapter of Amos’ book:

“Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” (NKJV)

Now, allow me to divulge the inspiration behind this posting:

During our online visit this Sunday afternoon to a live service at Church of His Presence in Mobile, Alabama (mid-morning there), we were thrilled by Reverend John Kilpatrick’s sermon.  (To listen, let the video play and as the gray buffer bar progresses click at 52 minutes for the commencement of this pastor’s revelatory teaching.)

John Kilpatrick spoke in a novel way of the parable of the good Samaritan, saying it’s only one of several passages for which the Lord’s given him fresh insights. He said all these can be regarded as ‘foreshadowing the future’ and quoted his scriptural authority for coming to that conclusion lies in Isaiah 46 verses 9-10, as above.  What amazed me, however, was that upon opening my old, well-annotated paperback NIV Insight Bible, I saw those very verses had already been highlighted by me in bright yellow!   

W O W !! 

I just had to conclude, therefore, those verses are especially appropriate for this blog.

Now, let’s return to the future and set or watches forward well over 2600 years to 14th September 1989 at Reading in Berkshire, England for a personal date with destiny.

[Image credit: Hand-giving-key by Chaiwat, courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net]

   

Why I’m on the lookout

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Why? In short: I was told to watch – plus a spectacular event made it personal. Yet why do that? To answer this, and other questions, take a quick trip with me back in time.

Like scrolling page to page on pc, tablet or smartphone brings different images to your own virtual or cyber realm, use your mind’s eye to imagine yourself getting into a ‘time machine’. Are you sitting down? Then let’s go for a spin’…

Off Beyond The Med…

Set your watches (or digital calendars) back by -1,975 years. We head beyond the Eastern Mediterranean’s shore towards the Dead Sea’s deep valley well below sea level. A hill-top city quickly appears wherein we zoom into a large closed room. Here, we find ourselves in the midst of about 120 men and women – Jesus Christ’s original disciples.

We learn that Jesus had commissioned twelve of these men as apostles, or ‘ones sent forth’. He not only authorised but also empowered them to continue His teaching – with miracles – and to establish groups of believers. [See opening chapter of ‘The Acts of the Apostles’ in the Bible’s New Testament.]

Peter had been charged with leading these followers in spreading the ‘good news of Jesus Christ’; i.e. the kingdom of God’s love, as fully demonstrated by Jesus’ life and ministry to the ‘lost’. Their remarkable ‘rabbi’ had told them,

“…You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. (Acts 1:8 NIV).unt of Jesus’ public ministry.  This will be known as ‘The Gospel According To Mark’.  His account is the earliest of four to be recognised as authentic, inspired by God’s Holy Spirit and, thus, authoritative or canonical.

“But what’s all that to do with this blog?”, you may ask. Let me explain:

Mark, also known as ‘the interpreter of Peter’, wrote what Jesus had privately confided to his very first followers, James and John plus Peter and Andrew, about God’s plans for the near and far future. Jesus gave them the startling promise that He would return in the flesh to reign as ruler of God’s fully established kingdom!

To help you get a handle on this;

If those disciples were our contemporaries and Peter’s eye-witness account were to be published for the first time TODAY, then his story would cover events of less than 40 years ago – that is, since the Falklands War. Now, back to the point:

Jesus told both pairs of brothers that certain events would clearly indicate His return is imminent. Future followers would know, therefore, what to look out for just prior to the bodily return of Messiah (anointed redeemer) Yeshua onto the world stage.  This future event is known as The Second Advent; the First Advent being when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the Roman province of Judea (see map).

Hence, the four weeks preceding Christmas are designated within the western church calendar as Advent, from Latin ‘adventus’, meaning ‘arrival, approach’, also ‘coming’.  (Read here to learn about the personal relevance of both Advents.)  This year it began on Sunday 28 November 2011.

What’s That To Do With Us?

Apparently, for every prophecy in the Old Testament about Jesus’ birth and life during the Ancient Roman Empire, there are 7 to 8 times as many about His Second Advent – what’s more, it’s increasingly likely to occur in our lifetime!  (I’ll explain elsewhere why this is so.)  Jesus stressed the great importance of that future event. For example, in His instruction to the four who’d been with him from the beginning, as recorded at Mark 13:33-37:

“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.

“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest, coming suddenly, he finds you sleeping! And what I say to you, I say to all, ‘Watch!’.”

That’s why I’m on the lookout – and, believer or not, you’re included in the action!  So, if you don’t know Him yet, I trust that something you may read herein will enable you to recognise, and want to get to know personally, the author of your and my salvation, the Lord of Lords – Jesus Christ.  It’s all about Him!  I wonder, do you know Him yet?

If not, this stirring 3 minute video clip describes so well who Jesus is.:

Preacher Sam has a terrific way with words in describing where God came from.:

We may meet the Lord of Time later…but first, here’s his key to prophecy!

Not many people know this…

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This post, one of my first blogs in November 2011, later featured on the Home page to inform visitors of the acceleration of prophetic fulfillment, as may be inferred from the links to confirmatory events two years later:

As you may have gathered from my Welcome, I’m into eschatology – the theological study of the destiny and judgement of nations and all people, even angels!  You may know it as ‘The Last Days’ or, more popularly, as ‘End-Times’. The origin of this term is in the ancient Hebrew Torah’s description: Acharit Hayamin, ie. ‘Last of the Years’.

Let me take you for a very brief visit into one of my favourite classes where Dr Chuck Missler is asking his students, ‘Why Eschatology?‘

“It is very practical”, he answers himself and explains:

“Apparently, we’re being plunged into a period of time about which the Holy Bible says more than any other period – including the time when Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee!

“Now that’s a preposterous statement – and I challenge you to challenge my statement! To do so you need to do two things:

1  Find out what the Bible itself says about this and – this is a bit harder,

2  Find out what’s really going on – but you won’t get that on the ten o’clock news!

“Fortunately, thanks to the internet, the alternative press and to talk-radio you can do some homework and find out what really is going on. The more you do those two things the more you’ll understand why many scholars are extremely excited about the horizon we’re moving into – because it all deals with the return of Christ to rule earth.

“It really is remarkable how controversial this topic is, but there are:

  • over 1800 references in the Old Testament to this event – 17 Old Testament books give prominence to the event.
  • over 300 references in the New Testament – 216 chapters in 23 of its 27 books give prominence to this primary issue: the return of Jesus to rule on earth.

“You may not believe what the Bible says, but what’s utterly astonishing is that so very many claim to believe in Jesus yet have no grasp of the idea Christ is to literally return and rule!”

I respect Chuck for frequently stressing that we shouldn’t take what he says as ‘Gospel’ but always do a ‘Berean check’ per Acts 17:11; that is, to search the scriptures to find out whether or not his ideas line up with them. Also, I admire his public apology for admitting that, having long taught about an anticipated Middle Eastern war from a certain scriptural stance, he’s gained a better understanding from other passages. So Chuck explained why he’d changed his mind.  For more information visit his website at Koinonia House.

What are we to do when mainstream news doesn’t help?  To find out, click here…

Footnote

The following posts are just a few examples among many of subsequent eschatalogical developments:

False theology and false history

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A brief note further to my email on the debate on Replacement Theology.  There is news from two separate sources that the Lord may be drawing this issue to the fore.

The first is found via a comment to the debate. In recent years liberal seminaries have strongly encouraged a new, non-Biblical, Palestinian form of theology through the works of Lutheran pastor Mitri Raheb and Anglican Naim Ateek.

Now, however, Raheb has denounced that error of interpretation (to be polite), as reported in Palestinian Theologian Trashes Palestinian Theology.

Also, the same morning I read Christian Leaders Against Heresy, which is a clarion call against this error because of claims that Jesus was a Palestinian have appeared in The Jerusalem Post. Its author draw attentions to the fact some well-respected and highly influential leaders within the Church are leading many astray.

May the Lord continually garrison our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Welcome

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Hello, I’m Richard Barker.

Welcome to my musings about what’s going on in the world and I trust this blog may help you gain some insights. Indeed, what on earth is going to happen next?

You may find some of my ideas challenging, even outlandish!  For instance, come along on an imaginary trip in a ‘time machine’ and, later, receive unusual instructions on how to tell the time!

Some pertinent points from my past are given in my Bio Info, where you’ll learn some facts about a seminal work that was to serve as a fascinating foundation for a my appreciation of Bible prophecy.

Reading The Invisible Hand in the mid-1980s made me very aware of Middle Eastern and related events, all indicative of things not being as they may seem. I was amazed to learn they’re of major Biblical significance!  (More on the book in ‘Bio Info’.) Bemused, therefore, I began to watch…:

A Supernatural Rescue

A couple of years later, I was alarmed to be unexpectedly faced with my own immediate demise – but I was blessed that a real, invisible hand saved me. The Living God made me an offer I simply couldn’t refuse. I gladly accepted His free gift of everlasting life, ie. Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection was for my personal benefit. Incredible!

As the Living God graciously and gently dealt with me I was completely turned around (ie. repentance) and cleansed of my involvement in yoga and the occult.  Some years later, I received training in and practised full gospel prayer ministry, as well as secular person-centred counselling.

Inner Eyes Descaled

As I got to grips with my new life in him, learned his ways and was introduced to his Best Instructions Before Leaving Earth – scales fell from my eyes!  Scriptures about what’s happening to the world became particularly clear.  For the last few years I’ve updated Christian friends upon possible connections between holy writ and current events.

You, dear reader, may be unaware of the exceptional relevance of a great chunk of the Old and New Testaments to today’s events.  Regrettably, many others are not only woefully uninformed but may also be quite biased against Christianity.  Therefore, I ask you to adopt an open mind as you mull over the themes and ideas expressed in this blog.

As not many people know of this, let’s seek expert advice next…(click on this ‘next’)

Muslim persecution of Christians

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COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’).:

I’m circulating to draw attention, as does Barnabas Fund, not only to the criminal massacre of our brethren in Egypt but also and especially to the author’s early paragraph:

Meanwhile, not only are Western governments apathetic, but it was revealed that “Obama’s top Muslim advisor blocks Middle Eastern Christians’ access to White House.” Newt Gingrich asserted that Obama’s “strategy in the Middle East is such a total grotesque failure” and likened the “Arab spring” to an “anti-Christian spring.”Ann Widdecombe accused the British government of “double standards in its threats to cut aid to countries which persecute gay people while turning a blind eye to persecution against Christians.”

You may recall my grave concerns in June 2009 over President Obama’s Cairo Address. This indicated its claims to his being a historian and Christian were quite shallow, if not hollow. [ALSO see latest against his stance in MEF Aug’12 below.]

Many analysts, too, were deeply concerned, especially in his development of connections with the Muslim Brotherhood and the worrying direction his administration has taken the USA – even concluding that ‘POTUS’ (President of the United States) may be a crypto-Muslim.  Subsequent events served to confirm the validity of their well-reasoned reservations.

If latest reports are true, clear indications of what many regard as a subversive, anti-Christian agenda have now surfaced, viz:

Beirut Arab news agency al Nashra reported on Saturday November 22, that [White House Muslim envoy] Dalia Mogahed has succeeded in cancelling a meeting between the Maronite Patriarch of Lebanon and President Barack Obama. Writing in al Nashra, the reporter said “an unnamed US source told the news agency, that those who sought cancelling a visit of (the spiritual head of the Maronite Church) Patriarch Beshara Rahi to the White House are Dalia Mujahid (Mogahed), the highest adviser on Arab and Islamic Affairs in the State Department, who is from Egyptian origins. And that,” according to al Nashra, “heeding a request by the higher leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, who consider that US Administration must support the Islamist Sunni current facing the Iranian current in the region.”

The author of the MEF item below, Raymond Ibrahim, born of Egyptian Coptic parents, is a specialist in Islam exploring “the pivotal but ignored point where Islam and Christianity intersect…translating pertinent Arabic news that never reaches the West”. Biographical notes read:

Immediately after 9/11, Raymond—then a student of history and theology, not politics and current events—began reading up on al-Qaeda and other Islamist organizations; he began watching Al Jazeera.  He was immediately struck by the continuity evident between the words, deeds, and goals of the 7th century mujahidin (“jihadists”), whom he had been studying for years, and the near verbatim words, deeds, and goals of 21st century jihadists. Since then, he has maintained that to truly understand contemporary Islam, one must first understand Islamic history, doctrine, and epistemology

He discovered, translated and published original Al-Qaeda treatises, from which he concluded:

Based solely on al-Qaeda’s own words, this collection of translations, “proves once and for all that, despite the propaganda of al-Qaeda and its sympathizers, radical Islam’s war with the West is not finite and limited to political grievances—real or imagined—but is existential, transcending time and space and deeply rooted in faith.”

Please visit Middle East Forum for his October’11 and subsequent monthly updates.

LATEST  INDICTMENT: Obama Administration’s War on Persecuted Christians.

Encouragement from Egypt

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COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’):

After the distressing details of the Maspero massacre at long last I’m able to share some TRULY POSITIVE, VERY GOOD news. This comes as a result of prayers after that event and which led to a massive, historic prayer meeting in which Muslims joined!

Developments during the year made me wonder about the fulfilment of the prophetic details I’d divulged about the fall of Islam and the Holy Spirit setting all Eastern Africa ablaze from Mozambique to Egypt and across to the Arabian peninsular. Yet now we learn of an event on 11.11.11 from 24-7 Prayer and a popular ‘tall skinny Kiwi‘ of:

“Egyptian leaders are telling us there has been a significant spiritual ‘shift’ in their country and we are trying to make sense of it all…

Since the event, one Egyptian Christian leader told us,

“The heavens are clean! It is easy to pray!” He calls it the beginning of revival:
“I saw signs of the beginning of revival that I have never seen before!”

There’s an interesting reference to this activity focussing upon a ‘garbage city’ – now where’ve we heard that before? (Such gave rise to Iris Ministries in Mozambique and the phenomenal work the Lord is doing there through Heild and Rolland Baker.)

Praise the Lord !!

Richard

Catch up with the TV debate

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COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’):

A video is now available on each proponent’s blog of last Wednesday’s 90min debate on Revelation TV, should you wish to watch.

First – or instead – it would be useful to read the text below both site’s video shots; ie. the interesting comments (with corrections!) thread on Calvin Smith’s blog as well as Stephen Sizer’s opening statement on his blog:

Despite each advocate’s reputation going ahead of him, there was a lack of acrimony and although neither gave ground each came to respect their opponent.

Calvin Smith stood staunchly against the wider view that Christian Zionism is a heresy. He could have mentioned this valid Biblical understanding blossomed during the Commonwealth Period under Cromwell. The Puritans laid great emphasis upon inter-preting and understanding the Holy Bible correctly. Hence, their realisation that the Jewish people ought to return to their ancient homeland – the eventual outcome of which was The Balfour Declaration of 1917 by the british Government.

Stephen Sizer has a concern for the well-being of fellow believers within the Jewish and Arab communities and wants to draw them towards one another – other ministries are already doing so. It seems his view may be fuelled by unreasonable and dangerous attitudes prevalent within US military based upon an extreme support for Israel, right or wrong. Like us, both contestants recognised that the modern state of Israel is far from perfect and we shouldn’t be blindly supporting it.

More:

In this connection, I’m forwarding Doug Chaplin’s succinct reflections upon Judaism’s painful relationship with the church – hat-tip to Stuart for your recommendation. This reminds me of, and thus I rejoice over, the ‘one-new man’ relationship demonstrated magnificently between Rev John Kilpatrick and Rabbi Curt Landry in Alabama. (You may recall my referring to them last May regarding intercession for Israel v. proposed 3rd intifada.) Boy are those two men of God a powerhouse when together!

Also, it reminds me of the blessed time last year when Nina and I were privileged to attend and be instructed in the celebration of Rosh Hashanah. What a download I received about Almighty Father’s personal connection to His Holy Word, and Nina was unquestionably impacted by His Holy Spirit during that event – we were speechless!!

May you too, dear friend, sense His presence

Reminder of TV debate

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COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’):

Further to Monday’s email, please read this morning’s post on EChurch blog for details:

As its webmaster is acquainted with both debaters, his comments and linked material are very useful background information.

As you know how the Lord prompts one, I was greatly encouraged by these responses from fellow readers:

John P informed me of his just-launched blog What On Earth Will Happen Next? which I recommend you to visit too.

Upon receipt of my mail, Neil Mc had just finished the second part of his comments upon Replacement Theology for the End-Times course at WinVin and he replied: “God is certainly bringing this subject to the fore! I strongly believe that time is short and, as you say, the ground is being prepared.”  His comments upon RT open with wise words:

Some caution and tentativeness is advisable as there are varying opinions and interpretations: we do well to remember, in humility, that God has set limits to our knowledge and understanding. Claiming absolute certainty in any explanation of puzzling aspects of scripture, or of unfulfilled biblical prophecy, is risky! Suffice it to say, we should keep an open mind, read scripture with integrity and in context and, wherever possible, adopt a literal interpretation in preference to dynamic equivalence….

Also, a couple of weeks ago I took Nina to a packed Woman To Woman conference in East London. (Public transport was non-existent in view of work-in-hand for Olympics!) Afterwards, Nina excitedly told me most of what happened as 3000 ‘spell-bound’ ladies listened to Billy Graham’s daughter, Anne Graham-Lotz.

She spoke in depth explaining why the End-Times are upon us. To paraphrase in summary;

“I know a lot of you are scoffing, but I don’t care – it’s all there in the Bible and that’s good enough for me. Just watch what’s happening and check it out in your Bible”.

Scales fell off their eyes.

SO MUCH of what Anne said was anointed by the Holy Spirit that Nina kept being fired up by Him as though getting mild electric shocks! Most of her message was given in her oft-repeated ‘WAKE UP!’ call which is usually available on line during conferences such as May’s Epicentre Conference jointly hosted with Joel Rosenberg (see video overview)

Keep looking up

Nov 2011 TV Debate – Has the Church replaced Israel?

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COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’):

Friends – If you have satellite TV you may want to watch this debate on Revelation TV (sky 581, Freesat 692) on WED 9.11.11 at 9pm gmt.

For the motion will be Anglican vicar Dr Stephen Sizer arguing that Christian Zionism has no Biblical foundation or historical precedent, even playing a dangerous role in politics of M-East. (He’s gained a questionable stance in being vociferously pro-Palestinian claims and anti-Israel.)

Against the motion will be Dr Calvin Smith, Principal of King’s Evangelical Divinity School. His stance may be gained from Stuart James’ Church posting on Friday, Messianic Alarm

That very day I came across two other items directly related to this topic:

1. A posting on politically forthright blog Harry’s Place referred to Nick Clegg standing against an Islamist student body, FOSIS. This well researched post indicates doubts over Size’s integrity.

2 That evening came Bill Koenig’s weekly report from the White House, and which included his resounding denunciation of An Open Letter to America’s Christian Zionists published by Just Peace-making Initiative. After reprinting portions of the letter he concludes:

Koenig’s perspective: These men are totally clueless and dangerous. They say there has been theft of Palestinian land? Open the Bible, guys. And study your history — what so-called sovereign “Palestinian land” was ever stolen? Human rights? What about Christian rights in country after country in the Middle East? What about the wars of self-defence forced on Israel over the years? What about Israel’s right to live in the Holy Land with peace and security?

This position is becoming more and more prevalent in liberal Christian seminaries and within the leadership of the replacement theology church organizations.It is ominous and must be confronted boldly.

Rather than accept those intense remarks at face value I carefully checked the full content of that letter as an exercise in being open-minded. Its authors make an apparently honest rationale in their approach to fellow Christians: but in quoting scripture (especially Genesis) they twist its meaning completely to their biased viewpoint – not only was the letter riddled with error but it also reminded me of how Satan did the same when tempting Jesus! So are these replacement theoreticians simply Satan’s sad stooges??

Could the increasing frequency of this issue indicate the Lord is testing who’s really worthy of being his bride and thus clearing out his house?

The times are rapidly changing, are they not?

The Lord bless you and keep you

Is Netanyahu signalling a pre-emptive strike?

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COPY of pre-blog email (as in ‘About’).:

Re below – developments in this serious saga with Iran warrant our closer observation. Therefore, I’m widening circulation beyond friends who watch out for Israel.
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Whether current developments are a psychological ploy or not, at long last this deeply critical issue has moved away from Israel’s’ go-it-alone option and into international involvement.
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For further details on yesterday’s news please see Joel’s subsequent fuller report here.  Of relevance on this side of the ‘pond’, I espied today’s Guardian headlines, UK military steps up plans for Iran attack, following last night’s special report from Debka’s inside sources.  These suggest that Israel’s role may be purely that of tactical readiness for self-protection rather than active involvement.
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Richard
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=================
From: Richard Barker
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 3:18 PM
To: Undisclosed Recipients
Subject: Fw: [New post] SPECULATION GROWING ABOUT POSSIBLE ISRAELI FIRST STRIKE AGAINST IRAN:
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Friends – The following development has been expected for some time, but I’d draw your attention to Joel’s personal observation in 3rd para below.
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Also, this afternoon Debka reports the conclusion of an Israeli-Italian air exercise as well as testing a new nuclear-capable missile and extensive preparations in central Israeli for missile attacks.  The region’s getting hotter…
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Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2011 12:37 PM
Subject: [New post] SPECULATION GROWING ABOUT POSSIBLE ISRAELI FIRST STRIKE AGAINST IRAN: Netanyahu warns Israeli parliament about Iran nuclear threat, says “a security philosophy cannot rely on defense alone.”

SPECULATION GROWING ABOUT POSSIBLE ISRAELI FIRST STRIKE AGAINST IRAN: Netanyahu warns Israeli parliament about Iran nuclear threat, says “a security philosophy cannot rely on defense alone.”

by joelcrosenberg

Israeli PM Netanyahu speaking before the Knesset on Oct. 31, 2011.

Speculation in Washington and the Middle East continues to grow about a possible Israeli preemptive military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities. This is in part because Iran is getting closer to building nuclear warheads, in part because of remarks Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke to the Knesset on Monday about the Iran threat, in part because former Vice President Dick Cheney recently speculated about an Israeli first strike, and in part because the Obama administration is publicly pressuring Israel not to hit first.

“If I had to summarize what will happen in our region, I would use two terms: instability and uncertainty,” Netanyahu told his parliamentary colleagues Monday. “The collapse of Gaddafi’s regime in Libya, the bloody incidents in Syria, the American forces leaving Iraq, the new government in Tunisia, the upcoming elections in Egypt and many other events – these are all expressions of the immense changes occurring around us. These changes can increase the instability within these countries, and the instability between countries….A nuclear Iran would pose a terrible threat on the Middle East and on the entire world. And of course, it poses a great, direct threat on us too….A security philosophy cannot rely on defense alone. It must also include offensive capabilities, which is the very foundation of deterrence. We operate and will continue to operate intensely and determinately against those who threaten the security of the State of Israel and its citizens. Our policy is guided by two main principles: the first is ‘if someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first,’ and the second is ‘if anyone harms us, his blood is on his own hands.'”

I’ve never heard Netanyahu discuss those two principles before (RB’s emphasis) — they certainly lay the moral and strategic framework for preemptive military action, both against the Hamas terrorists that are firing rockets and missiles at Israel from Gaza, and against state enemies such as Iran.

Such developments echo major plot points in my new political thriller, The Tehran Initiative, but this is not fiction. Could a major new war in the region be coming later this year, or early next? It’s too early to say, but there is little question that senior Israeli officials are now actively weighing such an option, or that the Obama administration is deeply opposed. What would a Republican president do differently that President Obama to neutralize the Iran threat? That remains to be seen as none of the GOP contenders has yet offered a major policy address focused on the Iran issue.